NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

Despite the loss of DT Gerald McCoy to injury, the Cowboys defense is still looking to make a massive impact following the addition of former Vikings DE Everson Griffen.

“I’m trying to win a championship,” Griffen said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I look at the pieces we’ve got … the weapons are in place … On the defensive side, we’re stacked.”

Other new Cowboys defenders such as LB Aldon Smith and DT Dontari Poe also believe that there are big things to come from this defense.

“I think each of us brings something to the table, something different,” Smith said. “And then when we’re all out there, when we get all out there together, we can make some things happen. So each of us communicating and using our tools, who knows what can happen when we’re all out there together. I think the more that we’re around each other and practice and learn how one another moves, we’ll be able to produce some good results.”

“I think it will be great,” Poe said. “I think it will be amazing. They have a history of making a lot of plays. … I think we are going to have waves of D-linemen coming at you. They’re going to make a lot of plays, and they’re already doing it.”

While he has had little time to evaluate him so far, Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy is highly impressed by what Griffen has shown so far.

“I can’t say enough about Everson Griffen,” McCarthy said. “Just the fact of being able to compete against him twice a year, he was always the primary focus for us offensively, going up against him. He’s a relentless player. He brings it every down, has great passion for the game. He’s a big personality, so I think he’s going to be a great fit for our football team.”

Eagles

• The Athletic’s Zach Berman writes that while the Eagles tried to lower expectations for first-round WR Jalen Reagor earlier this offseason, it’s become clear in training camp they expect him to be a major part of their offense and play multiple positions. 
• The Athletic’s Bo Wulf says so far Eagles DB Jalen Mills has not looked out of place as he transitions to safety. 
• Eagles RB Corey Clement and UDFA TE Noah Togiai appear to have seized control of the No. 3 spot at their respective positions, per Berman. 
• Wulf notes Eagles fifth-round WR Quez Watkins has made a strong push at slot receiver and could potentially convince Philadelphia to let go of WR Greg Ward. 
• Berman notes Eagles CB Sidney Jones has been hurt again and unable to factor into the competition to start. Given he doesn’t play special teams, this might be it for him in Philadelphia. 
• While third-round LB Davion Taylor was seen as a project player, Wulf says the rookie might not even make the gameday active roster at this point. 
• Eagles HC Doug Pederson says the team has increased WR Alshon Jeffery‘s “on-land running” and is hoping to “get him out there soon with the team.” (Tim McManus)
• Pederson is happy with what he’s seen from new starting LT Andre Dillard so far in his second season: “I’ve been real impressed with Dillard, his growth, his strength. …He’s really stepped in and embraced that role at LT.” (Berman)
• As for backup OT Jordan Mailata who’s competing to make the team, Pederson told reporters he’s seeing flashes from “time-to-time.”
• Eagles DE Genard Avery had to leave practice on a cart with a knee injury and will have an MRI to diagnose the severity. (Adam Caplan)

Giants

Giants HC Joe Judge said they’ll eventually remove QB Daniel Jones‘ non-contact jersey in practice to give him “a little bit” of physical activity. 

“Don’t think we’re going to throw him into a Royal Rumble,” Judge said, via Jordan Raanan. 

• According to Ian Rapoport, Giants LB David Mayo is having his meniscus trimmed rather than repaired and could return in just three weeks. 
• Judge said the competition at center between Nick Gates and Spencer Pulley is “scratch even.” (Raanan)

Washington

Washington HC Ron Rivera mentioned that QB Dwayne Haskins is “learning and growing” and praised him for staying at practice with RB J.D. McKissic to work on why a certain play went wrong. 

“This is a guy that is learning and growing,” Rivera said, via Kyle Stackpole of the team’s official site. “I appreciate the fact that they stayed after to try and figure out what happened and why it was wrong.”

Rivera said OL Geron Christian will have to play multiple positions in order to make their active roster. 

“One of the things we talked about when I first got here was position flex,” Rivera said. “If he makes our 53 [man roster], that means he’ll have to play not just center but guard. And if he’s a gameday active, he’s got to play more than one position. We also have to see how he fits playing with the ones.”

Rivera mentioned that they are “gradually” bringing back DE Chase Young to practice after he sustained a hip flexor injury last week. 

“It’s unfortunate he missed a couple of days with his [hip flexor], but he’s had a good couple of days,” Rivera said. “We’ve been trying to gradually reintroduce him to practice, and he seems to be handling that very well.”